13 July 2013

This is by no means an accurate comparison of shopping prices between two cities.

I had the chance to shop in both Zara outlets in Shanghai and Singapore one week after another.

Both outlets were having a sale with almost similar items. Generally, I find the prices in Shanghai for Zara cheaper by 10 to 20% in this instance.

For example, a checked shirt I bought at the Nanjing Road Shanghai outlet cost me RM139 in the sale. The same shirt was sold in the Singapore Great World City outlet at S$39 which works out to be RM195. That is more than 40% difference!

06 July 2013

Usually, I have no issues walking in quiet places or desserted alleys in Shanghai. I did that many times before. Probably because of my build, I never faced any issues as I am not an easy target.

Yesterday, I was walking near Shanghai Railway Station very late at night and I suddenly felt uneasy. I looked around and noticed someone in the background. I had a suspicion he was tailing me because, whenever I changed directions, he changed too. But he was still about a good 50 metres from me.

I gave him a stern look to acknowledge that I noticed he was tailing me. I also clenched my fist slightly to indicate I am ready in case he wants to try anything funny.

I kept walking but in the corner of my eye, I kept a close tab on him. I was prepared to sprint.

As I walked toward the pedestrian crossing towards an area with more people, I noticed he went into a convenient store realising that it was fruitless to follow me and that whatever he tried to do, he would not succeed. I was relieved and went on my way.

Let this blog post be a friendly reminder to those in Shanghai and those coming here for the first time.

30 June 2013

Some years ago, I was posted to Malaysia for work for about two years. Whenever my colleagues from my home country visited me, they would bring me a copy of the newspaper from my home country. Even if it is a day late or two, it was very welcome because it alleviated my sense of homesickness and helped me keep in touch with the affairs back in Singapore.

When I visited a friend of mine in Tokyo some years back, I also brought her a copy of the newspaper from her home country. Needless to say, I got some free Yakitori that night !

I know there are many versions of digital newspaper out there in tablet formats but this does not match the real thing!

Next time you visit your friend or colleague based in Shanghai, bring him/her a copy of the newspaper if both of you come from the same country. It does wonders to an expat that has left his/her country for a long time.

06 April 2013

Came across this communal washing area of a nongtang(alley for Shikumen houses). For those uninitiated to Shanghai, this is sometimes a common area where the many households in a Shikumen to brush their teeth, vegetables ,plates, bowls and even laundry at times.

Not much privacy eh? Though getting rarer by the day, these sights can still be seen all over Shanghai.

16 February 2013

When it comes to being the most expensive city in mainland China, it has always been a case of a tussle between Shanghai and Beijing. This year, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU), Shanghai takes the "honours" again. There are some surprises in the rankings too.

This is the ranking from EIU on the most expensive cities in China.

1) Shanghai

2) Shenzhen

3) Dalian

4) Beijing

5) Guangzhou

There you go, I am surpised that Dalian actually surpassed Beijing!

On an overall scale, as expected, Tokyo remains the most expensive city in the world.

15 December 2012

Just after a quick tour around Cool Docks, I took a walk with a friend and took some photos of the views around the Bund. I have not been to the Bund since the renovations were completed. There are now a lot more visitors friendly touches and photogenic spots.

Just near Cool Docks, there is a newly opened bar with a small man-made beach, beach beds included ! I guess this is a great idea for the summer but definitely not a good one for winter! No wonder there is no one there when we took the photos.